Union Membership Strengthens Job Security, Expands Training Opportunities, and Gives Cannabis Industry Workers a Stronger Voice

WEST BERLIN, N.J.—Earlier this winter, employees at Flower & Flame, a recreational cannabis dispensary in Blackwood, New Jersey, successfully voted to unionize with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360. Open since March, Flower & Flame partnered with Local 360’s Cannabis Workers Rising initiative to help guide the unionization process.

Flower & Flame, a minority- and women-owned dispensary, acknowledges that its success is rooted in the expertise and dedication of its team. With their new union membership, employees will enjoy improved workplace protections, expanded access to training and professional development, and a stronger voice in workplace decisions.

“Hugh Giordano, the director of organizing at UFCW Local 360, emphasized the significance of fostering an environment where employees can thrive, as highlighted by the owners of Flower & Flame.” An organized and labor-supported workforce is part of such a workplace, and it is exciting to see these employees recognize. By choosing to join UFCW Local 360, they are striving for success and a better future for their families, communities, and employer.”

New Jersey’s inclusion of Labor Peace Agreements in its cannabis legalization legislation played a vital role in supporting efforts like these, according to Giordano. The Cannabis Workers Rising campaign has been a driving force in helping thousands of New Jersey cannabis industry workers—including those in cultivation, manufacturing, processing, and retail—gain access to higher wages, job stability, and comprehensive benefits.

UFCW is a nationally recognized leader in organizing cannabis industry employees, representing tens of thousands of workers across dispensaries, grow facilities, labs, and delivery services. As the official AFL-CIO-designated cannabis labor union, UFCW works to ensure the cannabis industry offers family-sustaining careers, workplace fairness, and a path for continued growth.

About UFCW Local 360

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union represents over 1.3 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Its members work in various sectors, including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and cannabis, striving to improve working conditions and secure sustainable futures for their families.